Solo Travel Guide to the Best Things to do in London on your Own!

Going solo? No problem! Whether you love history, fine food, or simply want to snap some cityscapes on your camera, then the UK capital has plenty of things to do, and even more to see. So even if you don’t have a travel buddy, then you’re guaranteed to still have a great time when you’re wandering around the city. After all, solo travel can be incredibly fun and very rewarding! Here are some of the very best things to do in London on your own!

Take a self-guided London walking tour

Like many European capitals, London is a city best explored on foot! Head to the area surrounding the Thames for oodles of history and plenty of interesting things to see. Highlights of a wander along the River Thames include catching a glimpse of the world-famous Houses of Parliament (and Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben), as well as the chance to admire the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. If you prefer a shopping style self-guided tour, then head to Covent Garden, Oxford Street, or Regent’s Street!

Head to one of London’s many museums

Museums are the kind of place where you won’t want to talk much anyway, and so they’re a great place to head to if you’re feeling a little nervous about heading to London on your own! Whether you’re an avid book reader (in which case head to the Sherlock Holmes Museum) or simply love quirky curiosities (at which point it’s time to head to the Sir John Soane’s Museum), then you’re sure to find a museum you’ll love in London, even if you’re ‘not normally a museum person’.

Admire some works of art in a gallery

If you’re more interested in art than artifacts, then you’re in luck! After all, there are so many exhibition spaces and art galleries in the UK capital that no one’s even sure of the exact number! Go to the Tate Modern for a glimpse of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol masterpieces and the National Gallery for some older artwork. If you prefer street art, then Shoreditch is the place to go…

Go shopping for books!

There are plenty of pretty, unusual, and quirky bookshops in London. From the Edwardian details of Daunt Books(specialising in travel tomes!) to the charming piles of books at Hurlingham Books, of all the things to do in London on your own, perusing the shelves of the city’s many bookshops may well be one of the most fun!

Head to a coffee shop

When you’re in London, chances are it will rain! The UK is known for its less than stellar weather and the capital city is no exception. That being said, a little rain is a perfect excuse to check out London’s quirky coffee shop scene.

So whether you’re into specialty lattés, pretty cookies, or want to head somewhere that’s a great space to read, you’ll find it in one of London’s many cute cafés. And if you’re worried about eating alone, then here are some of my very best tips for solo dining as a solo traveller!

Go vintage shopping along Portobello Road

Each and every weekend, the world’s largest antique market is held in the open air in the chic Notting Hill district of the city. Though the Portobello Road Market is actually open every day of the week, the main event day is Saturday and so that is when you’ll find all the best outdoor stalls; including plenty of pop-up eateries!

Get some perspective and head out to find an amazing view!

You don’t need a travel buddy to do anything, let alone admire an incredible view. Throughout the capital, especially in the district of the City of London, there are plenty of incredible rooftop views to be found. Best viewed under the candy coloured skies of sunset, head to the Sky Garden to enjoy coffee with a view.

If you’re more interested in history, then head to the Monument to the Great Fire of London. And if you really want to treat yourself to something a little more special, then take yourself up to the top of the Shard (once the tallest building in Europe) and enjoy breathtakingly beautiful views with a glass of bubbly in hand!

Follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter

Fellow wizarding fans can’t visit London and miss out on all of the Harry Potter attractions and trivia the city has to offer! If you’re looking for things to do in London on your own and love everything magic related, then you simply must embark on a spellbinding quest to scope out all the best Harry Potter places in London!

Scope out some filming locations

If you’re a film buff and your friends aren’t, then a solo trip is the perfect excuse to go out and seek those filming location spots that you’ve always wanted to see but never got the chance to. Ever popular films such as Love Actually, Bridget Jones’ Diary, and Notting Hill were all filmed in the city, among many others!

See a performance at the theatre

Solo travel is your chance to be selfish! Instead of participating in activities that your friends/ partner/ family want to do, you can instead indulge in your passions. Whether it’s spending all of your time exploring the ancient churches of London, checking out all of the fine dining restaurants, or watching that show you always wanted to see at the theatre, now is your chance to choose whatever you fancy doing!

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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, Paris, pizza, and history, though not necessarily in that order. A fan of all things France related, she runs solosophie.com when she's not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming her weight in sweet food. Currently based in Paris after studies in London, she's spent most of her life living in the beautiful Devonian countryside in South West England!

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Sophie Nadeau

Travel Writer & Culture Blogger

Bonjour, ciao, and welcome to my little corner of the internet! For the past five years, I've been writing about the weird and wonderful on this travel and culture blog, with a particular focus on history, hidden gems, and offbeat adventures in Europe and beyond.

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